Elephant
By Petr Horáček
Published by Walker Books
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Imaginary friends come in all shapes and sizes, but an elephant provides scope for great games, and a wonderful excuse for large-scale mess!
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Children's Book review
Imaginary friends come in all shapes and sizes, but an elephant provides scope for great games, and a wonderful excuse for large-scale mess!
Horáček pictures a small boy at his grandparents', without a playmate. His grandparents are too busy to play with him, so he imagines an elephant with whom he can play football, and then takes into the house.
Unfortunately, in the process flowerbeds get trampled, floors dirtied, and newly-baked cakes disappear. Blaming his elephant, he is challenged over his truthfulness, the boy sulks, but then discovers a wider world of imaginary games and a reassuring resolution when granddad finishes his gardening.
Horáček's illustrations vividly supplement this many-layered story of a lonely child who finds solace in an imaginary world.
Reading age: 5+
Interest level: 3+
